Machine clamp rockable in T slot

Abstract

An adjustable clamp for clamping a work piece in a T slot of the bed plate of a machine tool. The clamp comprises a one piece rocker body with a work engaging portion at one end to hold down a work piece. The lower center of the clamp has a fulcrum portion of less width than the T slot and pivotally connected below the bedplate which anchors the clamp thereto. The other end of the clamp has a thrust screw which enters the T slot in the bed plate. A pair of oppositely projecting studs, each with a curved upper surface, enable the clamp to rock in the T slot, when the thrust screw is tightened, to firmly lock the work piece on the bed plate.

I claim: 
     
       1. A machine clamp for clamping a work piece on the surface of a bed plate of a machine tool, the bed plate having at least one T slot, with a floor and a roof, extending therealong, said clamp comprising: a one piece, elongated, rocker body having a lower central portion of predetermined width less than the width of said T slot to fit therewithin, having a forward end and a rearward end;   a work piece engaging portion at said forward end of said body adapted to hold a work piece down on said surface;   a pivot fulcrum in said lower central portion of said body, slidably and pivotally fitting in and captive in said T slot to rockably anchor said body therein; and   an adjusting screw, threaded in said rearward end of said body, said screw having a terminal tip in contact with said bed plate and arranged to cause said work piece engaging portion to clamp said work piece onto said surface when said screw is tightened;   said pivot fulcrum comprising a pair of laterally projecting studs, each of oval cross section with a gently curved upper face for engaging the roof of said T slot and a gently curved lower face for engaging the floor of said T slot.   
     
     
       2. A machine clamp as specified in claim 1 wherein: said work engaging portion of said one piece body includes a pair of laterally extending, integral ears, each on one of the opposite sides thereof, and each having a lower, curved face for engaging a work piece.   
     
     
       3. A machine clamp as specified in claim 1 wherein: the end of said one piece elongated rocker body, containing said work piece engaging portion, includes a recess below said work engaging portion for receiving the adjacent part of said work piece.   
     
     
       4. A machine clamp as specified in claim 1 wherein: the terminal tip of said adjusting screw is of predetermined diameter less than the width of the T slot in said bed plate, said terminal tip being in contact with the floor of said T slot and preventing side wise movement of said clamp on said bed plate in cooperation with said pivot fulcrum.   
     
     
       5. A machine clamp for holding a work piece down on the T slotted bed plate of a machine tool, said clamp comprising: an elongated body having a lower, central portion fitting in the T slot of said bed plate, having a pair of laterally projecting studs slidable and pivotally captive in said T slot, having a forward end and having a rearward end;   a work engaging portion at said forward end; and   a thrust screw, threaded in said rearward end, said thrust screw having a terminal, lower tip fitting in said T slot of said bed plate;   said laterally projecting studs being of oval cross section, with a gently curved upper face and a gently curved lower face for rockable pivoting in said T slot.